More than half of the tourist destinations in India’s Kashmir region were closed to the public on Tuesday, following a deadly attack on Hindu pilgrims in the scenic Pahalgam area that claimed at least 26 lives. The closures are part of sweeping security measures enacted by the government of Jammu and Kashmir in response to the growing threat of militancy in the region.
According to a government document, 48 out of 87 designated tourist sites have been shut indefinitely, while security has been bolstered at those that remain open. Officials have not provided a timeline for when the affected areas will reopen.
Last week’s attack sent shockwaves across India and the wider region. Eyewitnesses and survivors said the assailants singled out Hindu tourists, asking for names before shooting them at close range. Indian authorities have identified the three attackers—two of whom are reportedly Pakistani nationals—as “terrorists” affiliated with militant groups operating in Muslim-majority Kashmir.
The attack has reignited longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan, both of whom claim Kashmir in full but govern it in parts. India has blamed Pakistan for supporting terrorism in the region, an accusation Islamabad denies. Pakistan has instead called for an independent investigation and reiterated that it only offers moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people’s call for self-determination.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened top military officials and national security advisers on Tuesday to review the situation. According to a senior government source, Modi granted military chiefs the freedom to determine India’s response to the Pahalgam killings.
Meanwhile, diplomatic relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours continue to deteriorate. India has suspended the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the sharing of rivers flowing between the two countries, while Pakistan has retaliated by closing its airspace to Indian airlines.
Cross-border tensions have escalated further with increased gunfire reported along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border between Indian and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir. For five consecutive nights, the Indian army has reported “unprovoked” small-arms fire from Pakistani positions, though no casualties have been announced. Pakistan’s military has yet to comment.
Adding to the complex security threat, Indian officials have also identified recent cyber infiltration attempts allegedly linked to Pakistan-based hackers. The hackers reportedly targeted at least four military-related websites, including one affiliated with a housing initiative for army personnel.
The deteriorating security climate is not only fuelling political unrest but also threatening Kashmir’s tourism revival. Long known for its breathtaking landscapes, Mughal-era gardens, and serene mountain views, Kashmir had seen a surge in tourist interest in recent years. However, the latest violence has triggered a wave of panic, with many tourists now cutting their holidays short just as the summer season was set to begin.
As tensions rise and uncertainty looms, the future of both Kashmir’s fragile peace and its booming tourism industry remains precariously in the balance.
Melissa Enoch
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